Thursday, November 29, 2007

where I live now



we're getting a new well drilled in the kitchen garden
all I have time for now
glad I found a way to get some pictures up

My new school



the joys of soviet architecture, given the grey skies and dirty snow don't do much for it, it opened in 1991, almost brand new. This is where I start teaching in January.

St. Sophia's in Kyiv

host yuri and luda

my host brother



we are about to do a traditional dance, thus the clothing

My Cluster



Also known as Grandma's cluster, thanks to Gar

Saturday, November 24, 2007

huh

Here is a new address, should anybody want to send a letter or postcard.
I will be moving to Veliky Mosty in 3ish weeks, about the same time mail takes to arrive.

голово славік
йозеф бартелс
вул. шевченка 74
м. великі мости
р-н сокальський
обл. львівська
80074
Ukraine

After visiting my new site I am very impressed and ready to start work.  
My new school will have internet, printer, copier which will be very helpful in preparing for class
It is a town of about 5000
I am excited to start teaching there and also about a few other projects I will implement.
HIV/AIDS education and working with the younger teachers to implement the communicative method.
There is also an indoor soccer facility in the neighboring town
and I'm only an hour away from L'viv, should I want to catch an opera.  
I will be living with a host family for about a month, then moving into my own apartment
probably in one of the soviet style blocks
all this excitement happens after I become and offical peace corps volunteer on Dec. 19
making bean burritos for thanksgiving, internet time, out...


From YoYo

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Half way through Training

Still no connection fast enough to post pictures
they will come when I have a long time to spend with a slow connection
Everything is cool, wish I could get some american food for turkey day
peace out


me: 
What's up man?
Liam: hey hows is it overthere
do you have snow yet?
me: Good, In kiyv now
taking a train over to lviv tonight
Liam: cool
is that where you are going to be?
me: my permanent site is about 1.5 hours north of l'viv
far west ukraine
pretty sweet
Liam: cool
me: tiny town, less than 5000 people
Liam:  that really isnt too far from me
me: but yeah, i'll see it tomorrow
no kidding, I can throw a rock to poland
Liam: i could drive 2 or 4 hours and throw a rock to poland too
me: sweet
Liam: what is the name of the town you will be in im on google earth
me: veliki mosti
sounded out
Sent at 8:48 PM on Wednesday
me: try replacing the i's with y's
Liam:  ok
Sent at 8:49 PM on Wednesday
Liam:  this should be it "velyki mosty"
me: that's it
Liam: it was the last posible combination of i and ys
looks like there is plenty of space to go runnign
Sent at 8:52 PM on Wednesday
me: hmmm
that's good
Sent at 8:55 PM on Wednesday
Liam: 1110 km away or 690 miles
Sent at 8:56 PM on Wednesday
Liam: we could meet in progue some day thats right between us and i have a friend who will be moving there after he graduates this semester
me: perfect
I will have tons of time off this summer
Sent at 8:59 PM on Wednesday
Liam: cool
do you plan to travel of work
or
me: both
Liam: i really need to work on geting some money
me: 3 or 4 weeks of travel
Liam: yeah thats what i would like to do
Sent at 9:07 PM on Wednesday
Liam: so ar you all set to start teaching?
me: i've started, it's part of training
only 4 classes a week so far
Liam: cool
how is it
me: but i'll be doing 18 starting in jan.
Sent at 9:09 PM on Wednesday
Liam: that seems like alot
are you going to live with another host family?
me: yeah, for at least a month,
maybe longer if it's good
Liam: than do you move in on your own?
do you like living with a family
me: I'm not sure, part of my visit will be to detirmine if there are even apartments
Liam: yeah
me: some towns only have dorms for teachers, and I might prefer a host family to a dorm room
Liam: yeah
Sent at 9:14 PM on Wednesday
me: well I gotta go
Liam: ok have a good move
ir was nice talking to you
me: Mind if I post our conversation on my blog?
Liam: no go for it
Sent at 9:21 PM on Wednesday
me: thanks
Liam: yeah
me: I rarely have time to both write entries and respond to email
maybe i'll get back on the internet for a while in an hour or so
Liam: yeah i know the fealing
cool i may be in bed by than i didnt sleep last night because i was doing a history term paper
me: ouch
are you back into rugby?
Liam: yeah i played on saterday but i didnt go to training tonight because i want to sleep
its raining too
me: we got a sweet snow
Liam: thats cool
me: yeah, really beautiful
Liam: is it sticking around?
me: covering the fields and stuff


From YoYo